Illinois 23, Michigan State 20

Sept. 30, 2006

• Michigan State is now 23-17-2 all-time against Illinois, which includes a 12-8-1 mark in games played here in East Lansing. Michigan State's nine-game winning streak against Illinois was snapped with the 23-20 loss. Illinois' last win in the series came on Nov. 21, 1992, a 14-10 victory in Champaign. MSU's last loss to Illinois at Spartan Stadium arrived on Oct. 21, 1989, also a 14-10 win for the Illini.

• The Spartans own a record of 29-21-4 in its Big Ten openers, are 7-4 since 1996, and are now 3-1 under John L. Smith. MSU is 7-6 in Big Ten openers vs. Illinois.

• MSU is now 59-29-3 in 91 homecoming games, including a 4-4-1 record against Illinois.

• Drew Stanton's fumble on the 2-yard line on the first drive of the game was Michigan State's first trip inside the red zone this season that did not put points on the board. MSU had been a perfect 18-for-18 this season entering the game. The Spartans finished 3-for-4 in the red zone for the game.

• Stanton's streak of 16 consecutive games with a touchdown pass - a school record - came to a halt today.

• Brett Swenson's connected on a 31-yard field goal in the first quarter and added a 27-yarder with 2:46 remaining in the game; it was his first career attempt to tie the game or take the lead in the fourth quarter. Swenson is 7-of-8 on field goals for the season and is perfect inside of 50 yards.

• Demond Williams' 62-yard interception return in the third quarter was his second INT in 2006 and third of his career; it was also his first career defensive touchdown. It was the second straight week that the Spartans have returned a pick for a score; Ervin Baldwin scored on a 19-yarder against Notre Dame.

• Senior linebacker David Herron Jr. recorded a season-high 12 tackles.

• Freshman wide receiver T.J. Williams, in his first career start, recorded a career-best four catches for 53 yards. He caught three passes on MSU's first drive of the game.

• MSU, the top rushing team in the Big Ten entering the game, rushed for a season-low 82 yards on the ground.

• Attendance - 71,268